Editing Lauch Faircloth (section)

=== Later activities ===
Faircloth was considered a potential candidate for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator [[John Porter East]] in [[1986 United States Senate election in North Carolina|1986]].<ref>O'Connor, Paul T. (October 16, 1985). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-durham-sun-faircloth-interested-in-s/137776547/ Faircloth interested in Senate]. ''The Durham Sun''.</ref> He initially declined, but in November 1985 he said he was reconsidering his decision and launched a campaign committee.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/rocky-mount-telegram-faircloth-may-recon/138194954/ Faircloth may reconsider race]. ''Rocky Mount Telegram''. November 5, 1985.</ref> But in January 1986, he announced he would not run after Sanford entered the race; Sanford would go on to win the election.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-durham-sun-faircloth-bows-out-of-sen/137776996/ Faircloth bows out of Senate seat race]. ''The Durham Sun''. January 14, 1986.</ref> Afterward, Faircloth grew close with Republican Senator [[Jesse Helms]] and supported Helms' [[1990 United States Senate election in North Carolina|1990 reelection campaign]].<ref name="ie4gh"/> On February 14, 1991, Faircloth switched his party registration to Republican, saying that Democrats had become "too [[liberalism|liberal]]" and hinted at a potential run for the U.S. Senate in [[1992 United States Senate election in North Carolina|1992]], vying to face former ally Terry Sanford in the election.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-former-democrati/137778726/ Former Democratic Stalwart Switches Parties]. ''Asheville Citizen-Times''. [[Associated Press]]. February 23, 1991.</ref>